The future of wireless is charging ahead, and it’s heading straight into the sub-terahertz range. That shift brings massive opportunities, but also some serious test and measurement challenges. That’s why FormFactor and Keysight Technologies joined forces for 6G Test Talks, a five-part video series designed to help engineers get ahead of the curve.

Two episodes are already live, offering a front-row seat to the innovations shaping 6G testing, from probing at ultra-high frequencies to integrating smarter measurement systems. If you’re building or testing devices for tomorrow’s wireless tech, you won’t want to miss this.

 

Episode 1: Why Sub-Terahertz Matters (and Why It’s Tough)

In Episode 1, host Paul Swangard sits down with FormFactor’s Giancarlo de Charico and Keysight’s Nizar Masoud to talk about what makes 6G so different, and so demanding.

As Nizar explains, moving into the sub-terahertz spectrum isn’t just about faster speeds. It’s about unlocking huge bandwidth to meet skyrocketing data demands. But that comes at a cost: smaller signal-to-noise ratios, new device behaviors, and a test environment that’s far less forgiving than anything we saw with 5G.

To deal with all that, engineers need test systems that are:

  • Ultra-sensitive—to capture signals buried in noise
  • Fast and accurate—so process design kits can keep up with time-to-market pressures
  • Capable of operating across wide temperature ranges—without wasting hours on re-calibration

 

Episode 2: High Frequency with Minimal Signal Degradation

Episode 2 digs deeper into what it takes to validate performance at these extreme frequencies. We’re talking noise figure, linearity, and distortion, all of which are harder to measure when your signals are smaller, faster, and more sensitive than ever.

Giancarlo walks through the cutting-edge technologies making those measurements possible:

  • MicroChamber® IceShield: A sealed, moisture-free environment that keeps probes stable from -60°C to 300°C
  • Contact Intelligence™: Real-time thermal drift compensation and precision alignment, powered by imaging algorithms
  • High-frequency probes and calibration tools designed to minimize crosstalk and noise6G Series #1

Together, these tools let engineers zero in on real device behavior, even in the harshest conditions.

One of the biggest takeaways from both episodes is the importance of getting your instruments as close as possible to the device under test. As Nizar puts it, Keysight is moving VNA technology into compact “remote heads” that sit right on the probe station. That reduces signal loss and gives you more margin to work with, especially critical when every decibel counts.